Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

applications

Groundlight raises $10 million to launch ‘natural language powered computer vision’ service for robotics

by

AI startup Groundlight has launched its visual understanding service based on natural language instructions.

Groundlight says its service “enables any developer to understand images programmatically using simple English language instructions and just a few lines of code”.

Groundlight says its platform can be integrated into applications such as industrial automation, process monitoring, retail analytics, video stream analysis, and robotics. This pilot service is now available to select customers. [Read more…] about Groundlight raises $10 million to launch ‘natural language powered computer vision’ service for robotics

Drones navigate unseen environments with liquid neural networks

by

MIT researchers exhibit a new advancement in autonomous drone navigation, using brain-inspired liquid neural networks that excel in out-of-distribution scenarios

In the vast, expansive skies where birds once ruled supreme, a new crop of aviators is taking flight. These pioneers of the air are not living creatures, but rather a product of deliberate innovation: drones.

But these aren’t your typical flying bots, humming around like mechanical bees. Rather, they’re avian-inspired marvels that soar through the sky, guided by liquid neural networks to navigate ever-changing and unseen environments with precision and ease.

Inspired by the adaptable nature of organic brains, researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory introduced a method for robust flight navigation agents to master vision-based fly-to-target tasks in intricate, unfamiliar environments. [Read more…] about Drones navigate unseen environments with liquid neural networks

Maxon partners with MassRobotics to support advancements of drive technology in robotics

by

MassRobotics and Maxon have agreed a partnership to support the robotics innovation ecosystem through collaboration and exploration of motion control technologies around automation and manufacturing-related applications.

With Maxon’s extensive expertise and knowledge of electric drives, this partnership will support and advance the latest innovations and technologies in motion control with automation-focused companies in the robotics sector.

Based in the Boston area, MassRobotics is the first and largest independent nonprofit robotics startup escalator in the world whose mission is to grow and support robotics innovators and entrepreneurs. [Read more…] about Maxon partners with MassRobotics to support advancements of drive technology in robotics

Kollmorgen and Otto Motors begin strategic technical collaboration

by

Kollmorgen and Otto Motors have agreed a strategic technical collaboration. The cooperation is described as a “major milestone for the autonomous material handling industry” by the two companies.

Kollmorgen and Otto Motors share a common goal to deliver exceptional self-driving vehicle applications to OEMs and System Integrators that strive to streamline material handling to end-users in all industries globally.

Together, the two leaders are exploring their joint capabilities to provide innovative solutions for their growing combined customer base. [Read more…] about Kollmorgen and Otto Motors begin strategic technical collaboration

Material handling specialist Ceteas selects Kollmorgen AGVs

by

Ceteas has selected Kollmorgen as a technology and service partner for their AGV applications made in Abruzzo. The strategic partnership is aimed at growing end-user operations by simplifying and streamlining their processes.

With over 40 years of experience, Ceteas has become a trusted specialized material handling consultancy for the Italian industry. Their wide range of full-service solutions cover intralogistics in both manufacturing and warehousing.

Matteo Di Cosimo, automation manager of Ceteas, says: “Running multiple plants with multiple types of solutions is very demanding for our customers. [Read more…] about Material handling specialist Ceteas selects Kollmorgen AGVs

Fuzzy Logic Robotics and Visionic partner to automate cleaning of complex parts in aeronautics

by

Visionic designs off-the-shelf optical guidance and control solutions for complex industrial manufacturing processes. As an integrator, they aim for constant improvement of industrial performance.

Fuzzy Logic Robotics, with its no-code software that allows non-experts to create, simulate and control a robot cell in real time, aims to democratize industrial robotics.

Together, Fuzzy Logic and Visionic are removing the technological and financial obstacles to the robotization of applications that were previously unheard of, or perceived as impossible, such as pressure cleaning and the decontamination of engine parts in the aeronautics industry. [Read more…] about Fuzzy Logic Robotics and Visionic partner to automate cleaning of complex parts in aeronautics

PickNik Robotics and Motiv to jointly develop of advanced robotics capabilities


 for space exploration

by

PickNik Robotics, a developer of advanced robot arm software solutions, and Motiv Space Systems, a designer and manufacturer of space-rated robotic systems, motor controllers, and mechanisms, have agreed a partnership to develop advanced robotics for space applications.

The partnership aims to advance In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities through the integration of PickNik’s MoveIt Studio technology for robot arm control and Motiv’s xLink robot arm product line.

PickNik Robotics, known as the Unstructured Robotics Company, has a ten-year heritage in advanced robotics control software and has received SBIR Phase 3 funding from NASA to develop advanced planning capabilities for robots in microgravity environments. [Read more…] about PickNik Robotics and Motiv to jointly develop of advanced robotics capabilities


 for space exploration

Tackling the lack of specialists with innovative robotics solutions

by

Boring, strenuous, and exhausting are things of the past. The work environment of tomorrow looks different: exciting, simple, and easy. Cobots, AGVs (Autonomous Guided Vehicles), and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) put variety into daily work routines.

Cooperation with the robot transforms previously tedious, strenuous tasks into popular activities that are easy to perform. Numerous exhibitors at automatica, held in Munich from June 27 to 30, 2023, will present examples of such transformations.

While such work facilitation is great, the pivotal question is: To what extent can automation and robotics compensate the lack of specialists? An ever-increasing gap emerges as the baby boomers retire from the workforce. [Read more…] about Tackling the lack of specialists with innovative robotics solutions

Comau developing new mobile robot solution for three EU projects

by

Comau is designing a “powerful mobile robotics platform” as part of an open, highly collaborative production environment, in the context of three different European Projects.

The integrated solution, which leverages Comau’s proven expertise in IoT-enabled technologies and collaborative robotics, is a natural evolution of the company’s automated workflow optimization systems.

Modular, scalable and completely re-configurable, the platform can be easily adapted to different applications without changing the system’s underlying software or hardware architecture. [Read more…] about Comau developing new mobile robot solution for three EU projects

Techman unveils ‘industry’s lightest high-payload AI collaborative robot’

by

Techman Robot has released its TM20 robotic arm, which it describes as “the industry’s lightest high-payload AI collaborative robot”, adding that the machine “redefines collaborative robotics with next generation AI”.

Despite being very light, the TM20’s high payload capacity makes it the “ideal solution” for heavy-duty AMR (autonomous mobile robot) applications.

Extending Techman’s cobot product range to even higher payloads, TM20 only weighs 32.8 kg, but carries up to 20 kg and has a reach of 1,300 mm with six rotation joints. [Read more…] about Techman unveils ‘industry’s lightest high-payload AI collaborative robot’